Review: What I Love About You (Truly, Idaho #3) by Rachel Gibson

               

Series: Truly, Idaho #3

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 8/26/14

Format: eARC

Pages: 384

Source: Publisher

Rating: 4.5 stars

GoodReads  |  Amazon  |  B&N

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Gibson returns to Truly, Idaho, and to the fate of sexy SEAL Blake Junger

GIMMEE A B-R-E-A-K!

Ex-high school cheerleader Natalie Cooper could once shake her pom-poms with the best of them. But she's paid for all that popularity—her husband's run off with what's left of their money and a twenty-year-old bimbo named Tiffany. Leaving Natalie to manage a photo store and having to see some pictures she, well, really shouldn't.

GIMMEE A S-H-O-T!

Then she comes toe-to-manly chest with Blake Junger. Exiled to a remote cabin in Truly, Idaho, Blake wants nothing to do with anyone. Instead, he's determined to struggle with his demons and win—all on his own. But the last thing he needs is Natalie distracting him with her luscious curves and breaking down the barriers of his heart.

GIMMEE YOUR H-E-A-R-T!

My Review

Review and Giveaway: Something Sweeter (Sweet Texas #3) by Candis Terry

Series: Sweet, Texas #3

Genre: Contemp Roman

Series: Sweet, Texas #3

Genre: Contemp Roman

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 6/24/14

Format: eARC

Pages: 384

Source: Publisher

Rating:

GoodReads  |  Amazon  |  B&N

The men in Texas are hard to resist . . .

Seattle event planner Allison Lane is an expert at delivering the perfect wedding—even if she might not exactly believe in the whole "'til death do us part" thing. When her father decides to tie the knot with a woman he barely knows, Allison heads to Sweet, Texas, to make sure his new honey is the real deal. What she didn't expect to find at the local honky-tonk was a sexy Southern man as bent on charming her pants off as he is on blowing her "true love doesn't exist" theory all to hell.

And they always promise . . .

Veterinarian, former Marine, and Sweet's favorite playboy Jesse Wilder takes one look at Allison and knows she's a handful of trouble he can't deny. But even after a sizzling kiss and obvious mutual attraction, it seems Allison has no such problem. When Jesse uncovers her sweet side, can he crush his playboy image, melt her cynical heart, and change her mind about taking a trip down the aisle?

Review

 

Candis Terry's Sweet, Texas series is one I've been curious to try. A few of my blogging friends enjoy her books, I liked the cover, and Something Sweeter seemed right up my alley. And it really was.

 

In Something Sweeter, we get the love story of Allison and Jesse. Allison is in Sweet to see her father and determine why exactly he's remarrying after going through the hell of a bad marriage. When she accompanies her dad to meet the fiancée, she also meets the family, specifically the sons, one of whom, Jesse Wilder, she'd flirted with and ditched the night before. Awkward, right? Allison is irritated and embarrassed, but Jesse is intrigued. Allison just doesn't believe in lasting love. Her mother made her father's life hell for year, and ingrained in her that love doesn't last, but money does. I guess living with a sociopath like that will do some damage, because Allison firmly believes that love always fails. Good thing Jesse's there to show her the error of her mother's ways.

Jesse Wilder was much of what I expect out of a Texan romance hero. He was a little cocky, a lot flirtation, rugged and handsome, blunt but nice. And he was wrapped up in a sexy, sexy package. Jesse and his intense yet charmingly playful personality made Something Sweeter fun. Jesse is the Wilder family caretaker. Having lost an older brother in war, and father unexpectedly, Jesse does all he can to help his family out. Sure, he'd like to have a family someday, but just doesn't find the time. I like that he wasn't opposed to a lasting relationship, and that he was the pursuer to Allison. And boy, is Jesse persistent!

I can't review Something Sweeter without discussing the Wilder family. This is a family with deep roots in serving their country. Jesse's brothers were fun and I can only imagine how good their stories were (believe me, I'm going to find out!) There is also a sub-plot about older brother Jared, who died a few years prior in the line of duty. It was excellent, probably my favorite part of the story. Matriarch Jana Wilder was so endearing, a great mom and grandmother, and experiencing her own second chance love story. I love when I come across a strong family full of love and stories.

I snark on Texas a lot in real life, mostly with love. I think that's okay since my husband is a Texan. I like that state a lot, but mostly for it's barbecue brisket. And as a setting for books. Is there a "Texan Romance" sub-genre? If not, there should be. A Texan romance is a lot like anything Texan, you feel like you know what you're get going in. When you use the word "Texan" to describe someone or something, it tends to be self-explanatory. The state is a character itself, and Something Sweeter does it proud.

 

Favorite Quote

 

  "Is it going to be like this every time we're in the same room?" she asked.

  "Like what?"

  "Like a fuse has been lit, and we're just waiting for an explosion."

  "God, I hope so."

The Sweet, Texas Series
 

   

 

 

I have one copy of Something Sweeter to give away, courtesy of the publisher.
Must be 18+ years of age; open to US only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


 

About the author: 

Growing up in Southern California, I was too busy reading books, hanging out at the beach, or finding ways to have a good time that wouldn’t land me on restriction to even consider writing a book. Oddly enough, a college drama teacher (who politely discouraged my inept acting abilities) encouraged me to develop the A+ character bio I’d created into a complete story. Right. Years later, in the midst of a bleary-eyed all-nighter (rocking my newborn, that is), I picked up a romance novel and fell in love with more than just the infant in my arms.

The diversities in my life have enhanced (or twisted) my worldview. From working in a Hollywood recording studio to a graphic designer in marketing; from schmoozing with the likes of Charleton Heston and Motley Crüe to giving up my beach bum ways and making the move to an Idaho farm. I’ve designed costumes for 80’s heavy metal videos and scooped up road apples left on the parade route by my daughter’s rodeo queening horse.

Only one thing has remained constant: my passion for writing stories about relationships, the push and pull in the search for love, and the security one finds in their own happily ever after. Though my stories are set in small towns, my wish is to give each of my characters a great big memorable love story rich with quirky characters, tons of fun, and a happy ending.

I’m married to a wonderful man who takes out the trash without being asked and who puts up with all my crazy ideas. To find inspiration, my family and I often grab our trailer and ATV and venture out to discover the off-road splendor of the Idaho wilderness. And when I need a fun dose of reality, I call upon my daughter and her little Mini-Me or one of our 3 furry troublemakers.
Life is good down on the farm!

 

 

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  GoodReads

 

 

REVIEW and GIVEAWAY: SUDDENLY ROYAL by NICHOLE CHASE

Series: Suddenly #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Avon Books
Publication Date: 11/26/13
Format: Paperback
Pages: 400
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3 stars

Samantha Rousseau is used to getting her hands dirty. Working toward a master’s degree in wildlife biology while helping take care of her sick father, she has no time for celebrity gossip, designer clothes, or lazy vacations. So when a duchess from the small country of Lilaria invites her to dinner, Samantha assumes it’s to discuss a donation for the program. The truth will change the course of her life in ways she never dreamed.

Alex D’Lynsal is trying to keep his name clean. As crown prince of Lilaria, he’s had his share of scandalous headlines, but the latest pictures have sent him packing to America and forced him to swear off women—especially women in the public eye. That is, until he meets Samantha Rousseau. She’s stubborn, feisty, and incredibly sexy. Not to mention heiress to an estate in his country, which makes her everyone’s front-page news.

While Sam tries to navigate the new world of politics and wealth, she will also have to dodge her growing feelings for Alex. Giving in to them means more than just falling in love; it would mean accepting the weight of an entire country on her shoulders.

Every girl (or thirty-something woman - whatever) loves a good princessy, royal story, right? You know, like Princess Diaries or The Prince and Me...those types in which an average girl learns she's from descended nobility or a handsome young Prince falls in love with her and spirits her away to a far away land in which she awkwardly learns the royal ropes while charming the masses. Though I've never been a Princess type, I've always liked that sort of story. In fact, I nearly wore out my Princess Diaries DVD when I was pregnant with my oldest.

My point is, I was looking forward to Suddenly Royal. A lot of my friends enjoyed it, the cover is cute, and I like a lot of Avon books. (Which, by the way, I don't think I've read an Avon book with such a sweet and mostly innocent tone.) I think I've become broken over the last few years, because it seems I'm just not into the sweet-long-lost nobility-story anymore. I was surprised, but I just didn't get into Suddenly Royal like I anticipated.

I liked that Sam was a wildlife biology major. My husband is a wildlife biologist -specifically, a fish biologist by profession (sexy, right? Stand back, he's mine), so I thought I might relate to that in a way because I should have an honorary degree by osmosis and tag-along field trips. It seems that this angle was covered pretty well, though I could have honestly done with more royalty and less raptor talk. And let me just stop to say that if me talking about birds and hawks and such is confusing you, because -shouldn't I be talking about cute princes? - I'm going on and on about this because all of this is in the book a lot. A lot.

And now that I think about it, I think I focused on the realities and science *shudder* because I couldn't focus on the royal aspect. Now, I can get down with vampires (BDB!) and some really unrealistic plots, in my paranormal, but in reality, I like for details to make sense. It bugged me that the home country is fictional (but I get why) and that it's smack in the middle of Europe, on top or underneath of Germany or something. It reminded me of that episode of Saved by the Bell when Jessie's dad was marrying that woman from Lichtenberg. I'm just...I get cranky about geography, okay? I worked really hard on memorizing all those teeny tiny countries and I need for that to make sense. I'm sorry. I won't even bore you with my thoughts on the feudal-type system going on in Lilaria or why it took sooooo many years to locate Sam's family.

You know what? I'll just say this: If you are into modern day, super sweet fairy tales, you'll probably enjoy Suddenly Royal a lot. It was a charming story, with very little friction, besides the awkward-ish love scenes that came out of nowhere. (I'm sorry! ) Because this was very reminiscent of other Surprise-You're-A- Royal stories, I pretty much knew what was coming the entire time. Every character was perfectly pleasant and everything pretty much went according to plan. I know I've had a crankypants tone throughout this review and it honestly wasn't intentional. I honestly thought I was still into this trope and I guess I'm not, at least not without more drama or in a different category. This book is very popular, and I can see why, for those who enjoy this type of story. Suddenly Royal was a nice story, in my opinion, which results in my overall good rating.



Favorite Quote:

  "Put down the knife, Samantha."
  "Why?" I hadn't realized I was still holding it. Mu voice was too high; excited. This close to him my brain was turning to mush. His blue eyes peered down into mine and I felt small and feminine.
  "Because I'm going to kiss you and I don't want to be stabbed when I do it."



GoodReads reviews from: Jenny and Aydrea

Suddenly Series

   
(covers lead to GoodReads page) 

Purchase Links

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  iBooks



GIVEAWAY
Must be 18+ years of age; open to US only.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author

Nichole Chase is a daydreamer. No, really, just ask any of the math teachers that had the misfortune of seeing her name appear on their class schedule. For years she has had story lines and characters begging for attention, but she resolutely pushed them aside to focus on more normal (read, boring) jobs. Well, no longer! She is currently heeding the voices in her head and frantically writing their stories. Nichole resides in South Georgia with her husband, energetic toddler, super hero dog, Sulcata tortoise, and two cats. When not devouring novels by the dozens, you may find her writing, painting, crafting, or chasing her daughter around the house while making monster noises.
  

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Pinterest  |  GoodReads

 

RELEASE DAY EVENT and GIVEAWAY: HARD AS YOU CAN by LAURA KAYE

Congratulations to Laura Kaye on her newest release, Hard As You Can. To celebrate, I'm sharing and excerpt and giveaway.

 

 

Laura will also be hosting a Facebook party for HARD AS YOU CAN on 2/25 from 12-9pm EST Join here: https://www.facebook.com/events/416084181828110

Series: Hard Ink #2

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 2/25/14

Five dishonored soldiers.
Former Special Forces.
One last mission.
These are the men of Hard Ink.

Ever since hard-bodied, drop-dead-charming Shane McCallan strolled into the dance club where Crystal Dean works, he’s shown a knack for getting beneath her defenses. For her little sister’s sake, Crystal can’t get too close. Until her job and Shane’s mission intersect, and he reveals talents that go deeper than she could have guessed.

Shane would never turn his back on a friend in need, especially a former Special Forces teammate running a dangerous, off-the-books operation. Nor can he walk away from Crystal. The gorgeous waitress is hiding secrets she doesn't want him to uncover. Too bad. He’s exactly the man she needs to protect her sister, her life, and her heart. All he has to do is convince her that when something feels this good, you hold on as hard as you can—and never let go.

 

 

 

 

It’s release day! And I’m so excited to share Hard As You Can, the second book in the Hard Ink series, with all of you here today! Hard As You Can follows the surviving members of a disgraced Army Special Forces team as they fight to regain their stolen honor, and finds their investigation crossing paths with a waitress willing to do whatever it takes to stay alive and protect her younger sister. For Shane McCallan, saving Crystal Dean is a mission he refuses to turn down.

Today, I’ve got a super sexy scene to share with you, one that was a total surprise to me as I was writing it! I hope you enjoy this peek at the first time Shane and Crystal find themselves alone with each other:

“Do you like to dance, Crystal?” Shane asked in a low voice.

“Uh, what? Why?”

His smile was crooked, playful. “ ’Cause dancing’s something people do when they’re getting to know each other.”

“Really?” Maybe where he was from. Then again, she worked in a strip club. Dancing was something people did to make money. So, okay, maybe her view of dancing was a bit jaded.

“Absolutely. Ask anybody.” The song faded away, followed by the announcement of a Southern rock station’s call sign. A new song started, and Shane turned to her with a smile. “Dance with me.”

Crystal peered up at him without the slightest idea how to respond. Because her body was saying hell, yes!, while her brain was screaming bad idea, really, really bad idea.

He stepped closer, arms raised, expression full of all kinds of invitation.

The next thing she knew, her right hand was in his and her left had slipped around his neck. Ohmigod, ohmigod, ohmigod, ran over and over in her mind. What am I doing? But then he tucked her hand against his chest and tugged her against him with the hand that settled at her lower back. And the closeness stole her breath.

He moved them to the beat of the song, a slow, sexy, bluesy number she didn’t know but would never forget. Some songs carried memories like the images were imprinted upon the very lyrics themselves, and she had no doubt this would be one of them.

All of a sudden, the air in the room felt ten degrees warmer. As they swayed to the beat, Shane’s body pressed against hers from thighs to chest. With every step and move and turn, Crystal’s breasts rubbed against the hard plane of his chest. Strong hands held and guided her body, making her want to feel them explore her everywhere. Arousal rose like a waking dragon inside her. Cautious. Curious. Dangerous.

This was wrong and stupid on so many levels. But, scary as it was, it felt so freaking good that she couldn’t force herself to pull away. One song. It’s just a dance. Just a dance just a dance just a dance.

And, holy crap, she wasn’t the only one aroused.

Against her belly, Shane hardened.

Crystal sucked in a breath, and he pressed his lips close to her ear. “We’re just dancing here. That’s all. I promise,” he said. But the adrenaline was already in her blood, setting her to a trembling she couldn’t control. Part curious interest and part instinctive fear. “Sshh,” he almost cooed. “Just dancing.”

The echo of her own thoughts from a moment before allowed her to draw a breath that almost calmed. They turned and swayed to the music, moving closer, pressing tighter, Shane’s lips so close to her face that she could feel his breath shudder across her cheekbone.

He was a fire she had no business playing with. She knew that even as she leaned her face against his . . . and got exactly what she’d hoped for.

He kissed her.

Just a brush of his lips against her cheek, but a kiss all the same.

And as much as it made her head spin, it was the little catch of breath in the back of his throat that sent a jolt of electricity down her spine to settle low in her belly. Light as a feather, he caressed her cheek, her temple, her ear with his lips. With him, always such gentleness, so different from almost every other sexual experience she’d ever had. It made her feel safe to allow this to continue.

 

Between them, his erection was firm, long, totally unyielding.

She shivered, caught between interest and fear, desire a river moving faster and faster inside her. The whole experience was a revelation—that her body had the capacity to respond this way, that a person existed who could pull these reactions from her.

For a moment, she gave herself over to the dizzying sensations. In her mind’s eye, she saw them undressing, fumbling their way back the hall, falling naked and wanting on the bed. What would it be like, just once, to take something that she wanted without worrying about anyone else, without being afraid? Just one wild, secret night, all for her? What would Shane be like?

 

So that’s Shane and Crystal for you! Did you have a favorite line? Thanks for reading! ~Laura

Read an Extended Excerpt of Book 1, Hard As It Gets

 

 

 

Hard Ink Series
 

 

 

(cover lead to GoodReads)

 

 

My review Hard As It Gets

 

 

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  | iTunes | Kobo

 

 

 

GIVEAWAY

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

About the author

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

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REVIEW: HARD AS YOU CAN by LAURA KAYE

Series: Hard Ink #2

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 2/25/14
Format: eARC
Pages: 384
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3.5 stars

Five dishonored soldiers.
Former Special Forces.
One last mission.
These are the men of Hard Ink.

Ever since hard-bodied, drop-dead-charming Shane McCallan strolled into the dance club where Crystal Dean works, he’s shown a knack for getting beneath her defenses. For her little sister’s sake, Crystal can’t get too close. Until her job and Shane’s mission intersect, and he reveals talents that go deeper than she could have guessed.

Shane would never turn his back on a friend in need, especially a former Special Forces teammate running a dangerous, off-the-books operation. Nor can he walk away from Crystal. The gorgeous waitress is hiding secrets she doesn't want him to uncover. Too bad. He’s exactly the man she needs to protect her sister, her life, and her heart. All he has to do is convince her that when something feels this good, you hold on as hard as you can—and never let go.

 

I'm a big fan of Laura Kaye's; Hard As It Gets was one of my most highly-anticipated books of 2013. I adored Nick, and I liked Becca. Two people stole the story for me: Jeremy Rixey (this dude needs a story!) and Shane McCallan. Shane was such a fun addition to the Hard Ink gang. His presence was commanding. So with that, it is no shocker that I was very excited for this book.

 

Hard As You Can picked up immediately where book one left off. There's a recap of Shane and Crystal's first run-in, then the story takes off from there. The story continues with the Hard Ink gang's efforts to infiltrate the Church organization, and learn how they are connected with Becca and Charlie's father, specifically, his betrayal.

 

Now, back to Shane...he delivered in this story. So hard. He was still the same smartass, badass, sexy man I was hoping to find in Hard As You Can, and I loved that. I also really liked this book's heroine, Crystal. Her backstory was very brutal, very difficult to imagine enduring. Crystal's love and care for her sister was admirable. I liked that she was smart, biding her time to make the right moves.

 

All the interactions and dialogue in Hard As You Can was fun. The Hard Ink crew has a fun dynamic that portrays the seriousness of their situation, but also a lot of joking and making fun at one another's expense. That was by far my favorite part of the story.

 

There were a couple of areas that I struggled with. One, the cast of characters in the story is large. I like the group and the dynamic, but with so many significant characters, I did have a hard time keeping everyone straight. Another thing was the action/terminology. I won't say this is an issue with the book, because I do think it shows Kaye is dedicated to accuracy. It's just me. I didn't follow a lot, or I had to reread to be sure I knew who was doing what where and why. And to that end, it didn't feel there was any real progression with the investigation.

 

The last area I struggled with was the romance. Now with this being romantic suspense, you're going to typically have a fast-paced romance due to heightened conditions. You're in danger, you may die, so of course, you're going to latch onto someone, especially if they're insanely attractive. Shane and Crystal were most certainly in this situation, but I'm not sure that I could necessarily buy the declarations of love with them having known each other for days, and spending very little of that time actually getting to know each other (likes/dislikes/hopes/fears,etc).  I'm definitely on board for the physical, that I get. Just, not so much the love.

 

Overall, I liked Hard As You Can. I'm starting to get the sense that Romantic Suspense is not my genre of choice. I am, as always, a big fan of Laura Kaye's work, and will continue the Hard Ink series.

 

Favorite Quote:

  "God, I can't get rid of you." Exasperation had her throwing up her arms.
   "I specialize in pain in the ass, darlin'." He smiled, forcing himself to hear down the intensity.      
  "Well, congratulations, because you clearly graduated with honors."

 

 

 

Hard Ink Series
 

 

 

(cover lead to GoodReads)

 

 

My review Hard As It Gets

 

 

Purchase Links

 

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

 

 

 

 

About the author

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp

 

 

 

 

 

 

REVIEW: TORN by MONICA MURPHY

I've been having a hard time with my reviews lately, even for the books I love. So you will notice (or not) that I'm trying out a new review format. I'm hoping this format will help me organize my thoughts in a way that satisfies me, and helps other readers decide if the book being reviewed is for them. This is a work in progress...


Series: Billionaire Bachelors Club #2

Category/Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Avon Impulse

Publication Date: 11/19/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 256
Source: Received from publisher for review
Rating: 4 stars

Marina Knight came to this party for one thing only: to slap Gage Emerson in the face. Poised to snatch up her family’s real estate empire, the sexy tycoon is on the verge of making an enemy for life—even if he can make her melt with a single kiss …

When Gage discovers that the alluring woman before him is the key to his latest acquisition, claiming her as his suddenly doesn’t seem quite so cut-and-dried. To get what he wants, he must get to know the fierce woman willing to face him down—as she steadily steals his heart.

Gage’s persistence and intense passion war with Marina’s determination to protect her family. As they delve deeper into an affair they didn’t see coming, Marina’s torn: Will she lose her heart to Gage—or everything she holds dear?

First Impression .... Sexy cover. I always enjoy Monica Murphy's books.

The Story... The second in the Billionaire Bachelors Club, Torn is the story of Gage, one of the three bachelor's betting against love. Once the mighty Archer (swoooon!) fell for the winsome Ivy, the bet -the last man to fall in love wins a million dollars- has not been forgotten, but it's not so much the focus of the series. What the story does focus on is the disciplined and focused Gage, swiftly becoming intrigued by and falling in love with Marina. Problem is, Marina's family owns the property Gage intends to own. The two share a fiery intense attraction. Can they get past what's between them and find love?

The Characters ... Gage was broody and hot in Crave, so obviously I wanted more of him. He's not as broody in Torn, but he was still hot and surprisingly sweet. At least when it comes to Marina and his sister Ivy. Marina was a very likable character, as well. Though she had plenty of reason to push Gage away, she just can't resist. I appreciated that she was strong, but not brittle. Neither character was particularly complex, but both were engaging. Their relationship did seem a bit rushed, or that maybe some of the development happened off page, but I did like them so much as a couple.

Archer and Ivy were both heavily featured in Torn, a very welcome surprise. It is always nice to revisit beloved characters, even more so when they play such a fun part of the story. Plus, I love how much Gage loves Ivy and the dude-banter between him and Archer. I love that the characters are both serious and fun.

The Writing... I have enjoyed every single book of Murphy's I've read, and Torn was no exception. I like that we get the dual point-of-view, giving insight to both main characters thoughts and actions. Her men are always hot yet likable. Her heroines are always strong and loving. I found the writing to be charming, nicely-paced, and infused with humor in the right spots.

The Heat ... A nice steamy level. The perfect fit this story, the physical passion never took overtook the emotional aspects or the story in general.

Could I Put Torn Down? The story got off to a brisk start, and held that pace throughout. I was emotionally invested in Gage and Marina, but did feel like it was a little rushed. I enjoyed it, wanted that happy ending, but never completely consumed.

In the End ... Torn was a fun, fast, and sexy story. A very nice addition to the Billionaire Bachelors Club series.


Favorite Quotes:

  Whether it's good or bad. Whether I want to know her response or not, I need to hear it. For once in my life, I want to leave myself vulnerable when it comes to a woman. But only for this woman. She has me so twisted up in knots I don't know if I'll ever be able to unravel them.
  I don't know if I want to either.    ~eARC, 26%


  "You know you're in love with her."
  I scoff. "I am not in love with her," I say emphatically. "I've known her for a week."
  "You have feelings for her, then." Archer grimaces. "Christ, listen to me. I've turned into Oprah."
  "I blame Ivy."    ~eARC, 60%

 

 

Bachelor Billionaire Series

 

(covers lead to GoodReads)

Purchase Torn

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

 About the author:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite. A wife and mother of three, she writes New Adult and contemporary romance for Bantam and Avon. She is the author of One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend.

Connect with Monica:

Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  GoodReads  |  Amazon

TEASER TUESDAY ~ TORN by MONICA MURPHY

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, just do as following:

·Grab your current read
·Open to a random page
·Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
·Be careful not to include any spoilers so as not to ruin the book for others.

Make sure to share the title and the author so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR piles.

 

Series: Billionaire Bachelors Club #2

Category/Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Avon Impulse

Publication Date: 11/19/13

Marina Knight came to this party for one thing only: to slap Gage Emerson in the face. Poised to snatch up her family’s real estate empire, the sexy tycoon is on the verge of making an enemy for life—even if he can make her melt with a single kiss …

When Gage discovers that the alluring woman before him is the key to his latest acquisition, claiming her as his suddenly doesn’t seem quite so cut-and-dried. To get what he wants, he must get to know the fierce woman willing to face him down—as she steadily steals his heart.

Gage’s persistence and intense passion war with Marina’s determination to protect her family. As they delve deeper into an affair they didn’t see coming, Marina’s torn: Will she lose her heart to Gage—or everything she holds dear?

 

 

My Teaser ~

  The fact that she's able to both turn me on and piss me off is quite the feat. She deserves a medal or something.   ~eARC, 25%


Fun, right? I'll be reviewing Torn later this week.

HARD AS IT GETS BLOG TOUR by LAURA KAYE: REVIEW, GUEST POST AND GIVEAWAY

Welcome to The Bookish Babe's stop on the Hard As It Gets Blog Tour! As a big fan of Kaye's, I am excited to be a part of this event. My stop includes a review, guest post, and tour giveaway. Follow along for all the tour stops.

“Edgy, sexy, and full of suspense! A great read from a great new author!”

~J.R. Ward on Hard As It Gets

Series: Hard Ink #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 11/26/13
Format: ARC
Source: Received from publisher for review
Rating: 4 stars

Tall, dark, and lethal...

Trouble just walked into Nicholas Rixey's tattoo parlor. Becca Merritt is warm, sexy, wholesome—pure catnip to a very jaded Nick. He's left his military life behind to become co-owner of Hard Ink Tattoo, but Becca is his ex-commander's daughter. Loyalty won't let him turn her away. Lust has plenty to do with it too.

With her brother presumed kidnapped, Becca needs Nick. She just wasn't expecting to want him so much. As their investigation turns into all-out war with an organized crime ring, only Nick can protect her. And only Becca can heal the scars no one else sees.

Desire is the easy part. Love is as hard as it gets. Good thing Nick is always up for a challenge...

As a huge fan of Laura Kaye, I've been anxiously waiting to read Hard As It Gets from the moment I heard about it. Knowing Kaye's ability to bring sexy and exciting stories, combined with that ridiculously hot cover, it was almost a sure thing that I would dig this book.

My love for Laura Kaye aside, Hard As It Gets has a couple of really good things going for it, beginning with a compelling story. The story is led by Nick Rixby and Becca Merritt. Becca is a nurse, and devoted sister. Having tragically lost her mother and older brother years ago, she's also dealt with recently losing her father in Afghanistan. When her other brother, Charlie, goes missing, Becca cannot bear the thought of losing the only remaining member of her family. It appears Charlie's
disappearance is tied in some way to their father's time in Afghanistan, which leads her to Nick Rixby. Nick is still coming to terms with the tragedy that befell his unit in Afghanistan. An unbelievable betrayal killed half the group, and led to the rest being treated horribly by the Army.
Nick has since been rebuilding a life back at home, at Hard Ink. When Becca comes to him for help, Nick can't understand why the daughter of his betrayer needs help. Unable to let her go, though, the two set out to find her brother and uncover the ties between her father and Nick's group.

Nick and Becca were complicated and layered characters. I was a bit worried that Nick's feelings about Becca's dad would lead to a lot of turmoil and angst, but that wasn't the case at all. I really appreciate that Kaye was able to have these complications, without making the fallout melodramatic. Nick and Becca were very pragmatic about the issues at hand, realistic about their situation, and thoughtful with their actions. I cannot express how nice it is to read about characters who had these extreme situations and emotions, but dealt with them in such a mature manner. That's not to say that their emotions didn't sometimes get away from them, but it was in such a realistic manner, and not overly contrived.

But not only did I really like the characterization of Becca and Nick, but all of the characters in Hard As It Gets. I have to say, my very favorite character was Nick's brother, Jeremy. He is the owner of Hard Ink, and the lead tattoo artist. He was just a really cool, fun character who gave relief to the tension. I loved that he wore great t-shirts, and pushed Nick when he needed it. Also, Nick's Special Forces guys. Like most, I really love a good story about soldiers, but I also love a good story about a team. These guys came in a really helped round out the plot, helping Nick and Becca. Shane was snarky and fun, and seemed to really resonate the most. This has me really excited for his book, Hard As You Can.

What's interesting about Hard As It Gets is that the plotline dealing with Charlie's abduction and their father's betrayal is not totally wrapped up. There is enough resolution to satisfy me -particularly with Nick and Becca- but I also want more. I want to know exactly who is behind everything and how it will all go down. I want more Hard Ink. As expected, Laura Kaye has delivered another sexy, exciting read.



Favorite Quotes:

  "I am wound too tight, Becca. Do you understand? In about ten seconds, I'm going to be all over you. And I'm not going to be able to go slow. It's gonna be hard and fast and rough."
  He meant it as a warning, but Becca heard it as an engraved invitation on fine lined paper. That was a party she sooo wanted to attend.   ~eARC, 35%


  Sometimes you plodded through life with nothing changing from one month to the next no matter how much you yearned for a revolution to erupt beneath your feet. And sometimes your whole world imploded and rebuilt itself in a matter of seconds. In the past, those instantaneous changes had almost always ignited with pain and loss.
  Not this time.    ~eARC, 78%

The Hard Ink Series

 

Purchase Hard As It Gets at:

Amazon  |  Amazon UK  |   Barnes & Noble  |  Book Depository  |  iTunes


Read Chapter 1 of Hard As It Gets

Introducing Nick and Becca from Hard As It Gets

I am absolutely thrilled to be celebrating the release of my sexy contemporary romance, Hard As It Gets, the first book in my new Hard Ink series. If you like sexy, gritty contemporaries, military heroes and themes, and even a little suspense, Hard As It Gets is the perfect book for you! *grins* 

Today, I’d like to introduce you to Nick Rixey and Becca Merritt, the hero and heroine of Hard As It Gets. They just sizzled together on the page and I really enjoyed writing them. I hope you love them, too! So, without further ado, please meet Hard As It Gets’s Nick and Becca:

MEET HERO NICK RIXEY:

Becca’s first impression of Nick: 

“I’m Nick Rixey. Who wants to know?”

  Becca jumped at the deep sound of the man’s voice. Geez. How long had he been standing there? And, big as he was, how had she not heard him approach? It was like he’d materialized out of thin air.

  The surprise of his appearance pounded adrenaline through her system. Her racing pulse had absolutely nothing to do with the bulge of his impressive biceps straining the sleeves of his black T-shirt, the hints of ink just visible on his upper arms, nor with his harsh yet darkly handsome face. And definitely not with the way his jeans hung on those lean hips. Right. Definitely not.

  Given who her father was, or had been, this was the type of man she’d expected to find at the end of Charlie’s cryptic note. His dark hair was a little on the long side, but the hard edges and leashed strength of his body clearly read ex-military.

 Nick’s Job: Process Server, Part-time Tattoo Artist

 3 Words that Describe Nick: Tortured, Alpha, Heroic

 3 Things he Loves about Heroine Becca Merritt: Her courage, her compassion, the way she takes away his hurt

 Who could play Nick if the book was made into a movie? Tyler Hoechlin hung above my desk for months (in fact, he just may still be there!), so he’s got the look for sure!

MEET HEROINE BECCA MERRITT:

 Nick’s first impression of Becca:

Becca Merritt was the all-American girl personified, with her fierce blue eyes and wavy hair the rich color of honey. Bet she tastes as sweet, too. And, damn, that body. It was all he’d been able to do not to gawk at the curves her fitted T-shirt hugged, or trace his eyes over the lace just visible through the thin cotton. It was like the sun had strolled through their front door, casting heat and light all over him. Only the haunted dark circles under her eyes ruined the analogy.

 Becca’s Job: ER nurse

3 Words that Describe Becca: Loyal, Compassionate, Strong

3 Things she Loves about Hero Nick Rixey: His intensity (in everything), his strength, his willingness to help her and her brother

Who could play Becca if the book was made into a movie? With her wholesome prettiness, Blake Lively would make a good Becca Merritt!

Do you have a question for either of the characters or their author lady? Ask away and we’d all be happy to chat!

Thanks for reading!

~ Laura


** Holy Frack. My friend introduced me to Tyler Hoechlin months ago, and all I can say is YES!**


Giveaway
Two (2) Kindle Paperwhite 3G e-readers
Five (5) print copies of HARD AS IT GETS, provided by the publisher

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Terms & Conditions
The Kindle Paperwhite 3G giveaway is international unless excluded. If your country is not on the list that Amazon delivers to, you will not be eligible win this prize.
Author Laura Kaye is not responsible for damage to the Kindle in transit. All issues regarding this must be addressed to Amazon.
All accessories for the Kindle Paperwhite 3G must be purchased by the winner – the prize is the Kindle Paperwhite 3G only.
Entrants must be 18 or over

About Laura Kaye:

 Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.



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